Chapter 67

Shen Ke’s lips and tongue were far sweeter than Leigh had imagined, and she felt like she could never get enough kisses.

She completely immersed herself in it, body and soul.

Unlike Leigh, Shen Ke’s heart pounded fiercely, her eyelashes trembling intensely. This was a strange alley with dark surroundings and dim lights, and a man with a bloody face lay in the alley.

She was pressed against the concrete wall, her limbs pinned down, as if forced into it.

Leigh’s tongue moved in an exaggerated swirl, nothing like Qi Yuan’s delicate kisses. Leigh’s were too rough, leaving her breathless.

Deep down, Shen Ke feared Leigh, but this rough kiss aroused her intensely.

The dim alley amplified her senses endlessly: the hard wall at her back, the body pressing against her front, the warmth of another person’s mouth in hers. All of it sparked a thrilling stimulation amid her fear.

“Mm—”

Shen Ke couldn’t speak and could only hum through her nose.

Leigh pulled back from Shen Ke’s mouth, her ears burning red. “Baby, kissing feels amazing.” It was too addictive.

Shen Ke breathed raggedly, her chest heaving up and down, tears clinging to the corners of her eyes, cheeks flushed pink. Her somewhat inexperienced face showed tension and unconcealed fear.

“Le-Leigh, are you really going to do it here?”

Leigh took in every one of Shen Ke’s emotions, the curve of her lips pressing downward a bit. “Baby, are you scared?”

Leigh’s finger tapped Shen Ke’s shirt collar. With a slight movement, she undid the top button, revealing a slender section of collarbone.

Leigh’s gaze grew darker and deeper. She leaned down and blew on it.

The moist, hot breath cooled in the air against her skin, carrying a hint of chill. Shen Ke trembled uncontrollably, her eyes lowered as she gazed at Leigh’s pale wrist. Her voice was tiny. “I-I’m scared. It’s my first time. Leigh, can you… can you be gentle?” She didn’t expect Leigh to let her go; she just hoped for gentleness.

At that, Shen Ke’s nose soured, and her eyes filled with fresh tears. “I-I’m really scared, wuwuwu.”

Leigh could never be gentle. She hated pain the most.

“I’m really scared, Leigh. I’m afraid!” The last three words came out heavy, as if she had shouted them out in utter panic.

She feared Leigh’s roughness toward her and feared Leigh hitting her.

They hadn’t even spoken to that man, yet Leigh had beaten him senseless for no reason.

Shen Ke felt her fear was perfectly natural. Leigh struck without any warning.

Her earlier little schemes crumbled completely before reality. Leigh even kissed like this—what about other things? If it really happened, she would definitely get hurt down there.

Leigh’s smile nearly faltered. She didn’t want to force Shen Ke if she wasn’t willing, even though she craved it. Reason suppressed her desire.

With a long sigh, Leigh released her grip on Shen Ke’s wrists, her expression returning to its usual brightness. “Keke, I was just teasing you.”

Like a big puppy, Leigh pulled Shen Ke into her arms and rubbed vigorously against the top of her head. “Don’t be scared of me, okay? If you’re mad, you can hit me.”

“I like Keke the most~” The upward lilt in her tone made Leigh look utterly delighted. The suffocating atmosphere from moments ago shattered instantly.

Shen Ke sat there dazedly in Leigh’s embrace.

Leigh kept chattering on. “If Keke’s scared, I won’t force you. Be good—don’t cry, okay?”

Shen Ke slowly lifted her head from Leigh’s arms and met that smiling, pretty face.

The moon peeked out from behind the clouds, its pale light falling on Leigh’s face and outlining her features and smile in sharp clarity.

Her emerald pupils held no shadow, like an angel who had suddenly descended to earth.

The clingy, cheerful Leigh who coquettishly acted all weird was back.

Shen Ke’s red lips quivered, and faint sobs leaked out intermittently. “Leigh…”

Shen Ke didn’t wail loudly. She simply kept repeating Leigh’s name, her grievance reaching its peak.

Leigh’s brows furrowed slightly. She scooped Shen Ke up into her arms. “Baby, don’t call my name while crying. It’s too heart-stirring. I barely held back from stripping you right here.”

Shen Ke wiped her tears, her voice hoarse. “Leigh, can you let me go? I didn’t mean to follow you.” Leigh was too good at pretending. She couldn’t let herself be fooled by that harmless look again. If she believed it, she might end up like that man one day—collapsed on the ground.

So scary.

Leigh pressed the back of Shen Ke’s head, pushing her cheek into the crook of her neck. Her smile twisted uncontrollably.

Let her go? She would never let Shen Ke go.

Leigh laughed out loud. “Baby, even if I die, I’ll haunt you—because I love you so deeply.” Her tone was cheerful, but madness seeped through the words.

Leigh figured this heartfelt confession would leave a mark in Shen Ke’s heart.

Even death wouldn’t stop her from haunting her—such romantic words. If Shen Ke said something like that to her, she’d be thrilled to the point of fainting.

Shen Ke shuddered all over and clutched Leigh’s collar tightly. Her tears flowed without stopping.

She had been thoroughly marked.

But Leigh’s background was too powerful. Escaping would be pointless. The Si Family definitely wouldn’t clash with the Leigh Family over her.

Shen Ke felt miserable. That was why she hated people with such deep backgrounds—they could crush her like an ant.

Leigh carried Shen Ke back to the car and had her straddle her lap. She took out a Black Gem Brooch and pinned it to Shen Ke’s shirt. “Darling, from now on, use my name to bully others, okay?”

Shen Ke looked down at the brooch and reached out to touch it. “You—you know—”

“Yes, I know.” Leigh cut her off, pulled out a tissue, and carefully wiped Shen Ke’s tears.

“Darling, be with me. I’ll treat you well.”

The wet tissue brushed over her eyes. Shen Ke squinted uncomfortably and tilted her head, rubbing against the side.

Seeing Shen Ke’s reaction, Leigh’s earlobes flushed slightly. She was asking her out.

The dating manual said that proposing in an ambiguous atmosphere had a high success rate.

Shen Ke sniffed and stayed silent for a moment before finally nodding. “Okay, I will.”

Was Leigh trying to make her her lackey? Was that why she said she wouldn’t let go even in death?

If she was Leigh’s lackey, maybe Leigh wouldn’t hit her anymore, seeing her as one of her own.

Hearing Shen Ke’s answer, Leigh’s face flushed with excitement. She cupped Shen Ke’s cheeks and planted a big kiss.

“Baby, Baby, I love you to death! You’re mine from now on. You can hit me, scold me, spend all my money!”

Shen Ke clenched her fingers and asked softly, “Does being yours mean I can do that? Will you hit back? Will you hit me like you did that man?”

Leigh’s expression was exaggerated. “My treasure, of course not.”

Shen Ke tugged at her skirt hem. She was still scared of Leigh, but this firm assurance comforted her a bit, lifting her gloom.

Shen Ke lifted her teary eyes. Her red-rimmed look made her seem both pitiful and adorable. “Leigh, you have to remember what you said today.” Being with Leigh seemed a little better than with Si Qing. On second thought, Leigh was a bit crazy, but she had never actually hurt her.

Silently mulling it over, Shen Ke coaxed herself into feeling better.

Her dejected expression vanished. She glanced at Leigh, then nervously reached out and lightly slapped Leigh across the face.

Afterward, Shen Ke squeezed her eyes shut tight. “You just said I could hit you!”

Shen Ke was too cute. Leigh kissed the tip of her nose. “Darling, trust me this once.” She couldn’t believe how she’d once looked down on people through her nostrils and missed out on her sweetheart for so long.

Shen Ke slowly opened her eyes and looked at Leigh cautiously, confirming there were no signs of anger on her face.

With a “waa,” Shen Ke threw herself into Leigh’s arms. “I’ll be your person properly!” From now on, she was Leigh’s lackey!

Leigh was completely immersed in the joy of Shen Ke’s initiative hug and didn’t realize that she and Shen Ke were on completely different wavelengths.

Si Qing felt like she had a very long and sorrowful dream.

In the dream, there was no Shen Ke. She searched every corner of the world but found no trace of her.

That suffocating despair felt so real that it nearly broke her.

She slowly opened her eyes, tears sliding down the corners and wetting the pillow.

“Miss, you’re awake.”

Si Qing turned her sore eyes toward the side and asked, “Aunt Wang, how long did I sleep?” As she spoke, she shakily tried to get out of bed.

Aunt Wang hurried over and helped her up, her face full of worry. “Miss, it’s been a total of twelve hours since you came back from the hospital.”

“You should rest more. Madam said no going out for now.”

Si Qing’s throat itched. She coughed hard a few times, the pain like razor blades scraping, sharp and unbearable.

Si Qing’s sickly pallor was all too obvious. Aunt Wang’s heart ached at the sight. The miss had been frail since childhood and couldn’t tolerate even a hint of chill.

She could have studied at home, but for some reason, she insisted on going to high school and had wrecked her body like this.

Si Qing steadied herself, then pressed down on Aunt Wang’s helping hand. Her voice was hoarse and grating. “Aunt Wang, am I a burden?”

Aunt Wang let out an “aiyo.” “Miss! How could you think that? Did someone say something nonsense in front of you? Talking like that brings divine punishment!”

Si Qing shook her head. “It’s nothing.” She straightened up and walked toward the door. She suddenly felt that dragging around this sickly body of hers was an eyesore.

Did Shen Ke feel the same—that she was a burden?

It was a bit ridiculous. With a body like this, she still dared to covet Shen Ke.

But she couldn’t just watch Shen Ke fall into someone else’s arms.

At that point, a mental breakdown might come before death.

Aunt Wang sighed and followed closely behind Si Qing, afraid she might trip and fall.

Si Qing left her room and ran into Si Minglan at the stairwell.

Si Qing lowered her gaze and called out softly, “Mother.” It was cold, devoid of emotion.

Si Minglan frowned but wasn’t angry. She was used to Si Qing’s aloof attitude.

Si Minglan said, “Little Qing, Doctor Liu says you need to rest for half a month.”

“You have to stay home for this half month.”

Si Qing frowned. “But Shen Ke—”

Si Minglan took a deep breath and cut her off. “Little Qing, sometimes I really regret bringing Shen Ke back.”

Having been through so much, how could Si Minglan not see through Si Qing’s feelings for Shen Ke?

Si Qing’s body was too weak. All she wanted was for her child to be healthy and happy. She didn’t care about the gender of the person she liked.

But it had to be that child, Shen Ke.

Even Si Qing’s decision to attend high school had been because Shen Ke wanted to go.

Si Minglan’s gaze fell on Si Qing’s deathly pale face. She said slowly, “Little Qing, that child isn’t someone you can have. Her looks and personality are destined to attract far more people. You can’t compete or fight for her.”

“I’m afraid you’ll end up hurt. Your body is too fragile.” The Si Family was already at the top tier, but the top tier had more families than just theirs.

Si Minglan’s words made Si Qing purse her lips tightly. The air turned icy.

Si Qing clenched her fists, her voice hoarse. “But Mother, even someone like me wants to give it a fight.”

“I don’t know when I’ll die. I just want to be happy while I’m alive.”

Si Minglan’s lips trembled violently, her eyes instantly reddening. She wanted to argue but had no words.

Even the best doctors could only shake their heads and sigh over Si Qing’s condition.

Si Minglan couldn’t hold back her grief. “It’s my fault you turned out this way, Little Qing.” If only she could have given birth to a healthier Si Qing—how outstanding she would have been.

She had always known Si Qing was deeply insecure about her frail body.

That kind of insecurity was something no amount of money could fix.

Si Minglan pulled out her phone. “I’ll call Little Ke. She’ll come back.”